Though I know that summer program auditions are certainly not the end of the world, I keep feeling more and more angst as January approaches. I am just getting over an injury and i am at the moment not confident in my body or technique at all. Does anybody have any suggestions as to the right way to approach auditions mentally and emotionally?<BR> Also, my most flattering and comfortable black leotard happens to be the New York City Ballet (the one with velvet piping under the bodice and a small NYCB logo on the back) leotard. Would it be inapropriate to wear this to auditions?

Someone just recently asked a question somewhat along the lines of yours - here is the link so you can read it - and within that thread is another link you might want to read too:<P><A HREF=../../../ubb/Forum19/HTML/000505.html><B>Jazz, Tap and Ballet Auditions</B></A><P>Now, I will try to give you my opinion about the specific questions you have asked - and they are good questions, too.<P>Angst - I am afraid - is part of life, for all of us no matter in what field we are in. It's how you handle the angst that determines to a large extent what happens. As you say, it isn't the 'end of the world', that's a good first step and a mature way to think about it. Here are some other ways to think about it.<P>Would you rather not be going to these auditions? If your answer is 'no' - then perhaps you need to rethink what you want from dance and in what direction you wish to take it. <P>If your answer is 'yes', auditions are part of a dancer's life and learning experience. Even an audition in which you don't get accepted as you would prefer, can teach you many things.<P>Auditions are not opportunities for failures, they are attempts at success. Sometimes it takes quite a number of tries to attain that success. It may help to have several plans in mind, alternatives in case Plan A doesn't quite work out. That's another of life's lessons.<P>Think of this as an opportunity to see the world around you, what other dancers are doing. As a means of learning about yourself. And the possibility for progress. How will you look back at this in ten years from now? Not getting into a specific school probably won't mean quite as much ten years from now. You will still have many opportunities to get out of dance whatever it is you put into it. <P>Try to see stand back from it, and see it in hindsight - its relative importance, its actual impact on the rest of your life, and that might help you to keep it in perspective.<P>I would suggest you approach it with all the joy of a performance. Dance is a performing art, if you don't perform it's like chewing and never swallowing. So, dance your audition.<P>As for wearing a leotard that you feel good about, I would suggest that you consult your teacher since she can see the size of the logo and give you more sure advice than I can without being able to see it.<P>And Lots of Luck to you!! Let us know what happens.<P>

I would suggest wearing a plain black non-descript leotard to auditions as the NYCB leo could be seen as coming off rather overly-confident by you and if you are especially not on top of your technique right now it could be a bad combination to those assessing you. (This is just my opinion of course)<P>I agree that auditions are all learning opportunities regardless of what the audition is for--instead of stressing about your injury and technique use these upcoming auditions as a process to educate yourself on how your body responds to stress after an injury. Don't expect to be received into ANY program, simply audition for the experience of observing your body during a recovery period--and DON'T overly exert yourself beyond what your recovering body can truly do at this point--you will only hinder your progress if you do so. It may help to note on your audition applications that you are currently recovering from an injury so that the staff is aware of your limitations. (It may also be a negative as they could see the injury as a potential future problem.)<P>If you don't feel like you want to put yourself through audition stress this year, limit your auditions to half of your original plan (probably good for the injury too) and focus only on the actual class, learning what you can as you would from any other master class situation. <P>best wishes,<BR>Jan

Balletgirl, would it be terrible if you skipped auditions for the next upcoming season? If you're recovering from an injury, you really want to be careful not to strain yourself. You should feel at an audition that you can extend yourself physically as much as possible, but with an injury you need to be careful. But for future reference, auditions are a part of life in dance. There's all kinds of advice about auditions: what to wear, how to act, behavior, etc. There's no "magic" answer though. Do your best, be pleasant and professional and try to HAVE FUN!<p>[This message has been edited by trina (edited December 30, 2001).]

Forgive me if I am not remembering information provided elsewhere, but how far along are you in your recovery? Some programs that have auditions in January may have others later on as well. It might be worth checking to see if you can wait a month or two, to give yourself more time to get back in shape (and heal, if that is still an issue).<P>If your healing is complete, and you are just not quite back in shape yet, you may wish to ask your teacher(s) how you are looking right now, and what they think you should do. You may be doing better than you feel you are doing, and a teacher's opinion might give you the encouragement you need.<P>Are you auditioning to gain experience, or are you auditioning because you definitely plan on attending one of the summer programs you are auditioning for? If it's just for experience and you're not far enough along in your recovery, then perhaps backing off from some or all auditions would be more appropriate. If these auditions are your key to summer plans, then perhaps you should be trying to get there. But that being said, it is important to add that if you are not completely healed, then you don't want to risk further injury by attempting too much too soon.<P>Good luck with your decision and your plans, Balletgirl. Let us know how you are doing!

BalletGirl - I was just speaking to Jillana the director of the Jillana School - she has a summer intensive in Taos.<P>She happened to be telling me that she is not doing auditions this year for the summer intensive. She is giving priority to applications as they are received.<P>You can find her website and see what she says about the requirements and the application process. It might be of interest to you since you wouldn't have to audition while you are not feeling quite back in shape and you wouldn't have to be pressured while still recovering.<P>Here is the site:<P><A HREF="http://www.jillanaschool.com/" TARGET=_blank><B>JillanaSch</B></A><P>

Additionally Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet summer intensive does not require an audition, but an application and two (or more possibly) photos in a specified ballet pose. I don't have the website, but it is probably easily found with a search. Once accepted you will take a placement class first to assess your level of ability.

Interesting:<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Resume should be compelling, to the point<P>John Eckberg, Cincinnati Enquirer<P>The guy just wanted to get noticed — to have his resume break through the clutter on a potential employer's desk and actually be read.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P><a href=http://enquirer.com/editions/2002/01/07/fin_resume_should_be.html target=_blank>More</a>

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